All tied up in technology
I have been wondering what it would be like to sell reale state without feeling all tied up in technology. Sometimes I think it would be nice to just stay away from the cell phone and the lap top for awhile.
Yogaettes, The new name of our group of friends.
The new thing to do in Wayzata is Yoga. Actually many Wayzatians having been practicing yoga for years. That is why most people who live in this town are very calm and “on an even keel.” The police drive around just for something to do. The children are perfect. The mother’s are beautiful, and the men are tan and rich. This truely is the best town to live in, in Minnesota. I want to fit in so I am going to give Yoga the good old college try. Besides, I was at a party a few nights ago and all my friends said they were going to Yoga classes. They all originally met in a pool, so the name of our group is “The Swimmettes.” Now they will probably change the name of our group to Yogaettes. 
Wayzata Bay Center Redevelopment
This is reprinted from the lakeshore weekly news.
You are invited to attend a special Planning Commission Meetings regarding the Wayzata Bay Center redevelopment. We encourage everyone to attend this meeting so the public’s voice will be heard at this crucial time in the redevelopment process.
Monday May 12th, 2008 - 6:00 PM - Public input and planing commision vote
at Wayzata West Middle School, 149 Barry Ave North
For more information please visit www.wayzatabaydevco.com or call Ed Briesmeister at 763-245-0962
Let your voices be heard Wayzata!
Virginia Lord
Raising the Bar in Real Estate
612.799.1700
To Stage Or Not To Stage Your House, That Is The Question
If you are thinking of putting your house on the market you are probably thinking about how much time it will take to clean out the closets, get the carpet cleaned and clear out the garage. In this market you need to add something else to your list. With almost every house that has recently sold there was a difficult conversation initiated by the seller’s real estate agent.
The conversation probably went like this; the real estate agent says; “I can tell you have loved living in your house. It certainly is a great home. But any buyer needs to see it in a totally different way. Once we put the for sell sign up it no longer is your house. It now belongs to a future buyer. That buyer needs to be able to walk into your house and feel like it could be theirs at any given moment. If they walk in and see all these wonderful pictures of your family, they are going to think they are in your home, not theirs. They will feel like they are an uninvited guest in a strangers house. It is an uncomfortable feeling for them, to tell you the truth. They will walk in and then quickly walk out. They will also compare your house to the one down the street which was professionally staged. In that house, the carpet was cleaned, some of the walls were painted, and the stagers brought in a few pieces of furniture, and many accent pieces to make the house look like a model home. People walk into that house and as soon as they are in the door, they say “WOW.” Every room has been purged of clutter in that house. A storage unit was rented and many boxes containing their treasures are kept there. So, I have shown you all the many ways I am going to market your house, how many open houses we will have, how many days on average it will take to sell your house, and I strongly suggest you stage your house. Staging may shorten the time it is on the market, and it certaintly will help sell the house.”
The seller says; “Do we have to stage our house? You don’t understand, we have loved living here, just the way it was built, totally untouched, for the last twenty years!” The realtor says, “I think you just helped make my case. Buyers today want a house that has a more updated look than a house built twenty years ago without anything done to it. Painting, cleaning the carpets, decluttering and staging will certainly help.” The seller says; “O.K.”
Virginia Lord
Raising the Bar in Real Esate
612.799.1700
Nick Nolte Should Have Stuck With Me!
A few years ago when I was 24, (so lets say six years ago?) I met Nick Nolte at a party.
He was so dreamy. I could look into those handsome eyes all night long. We talked a little about home life and friends. I think my meeting him left such a wonderful impression on him. I know it sure did me. I left that party on cloud nine. I have always been able to picture those handsome eyes perfectly in my head.
I must have really touched him because from that point on he has never quite been the same…
I think if he would have stuck with me at least he would have had a better chance for this…
Oh well Nick. You had your chance…
Virginia Lord
Raising the Bar in Real Estate
612.799.1700
Strange House of the Day
This is more like a strange building, but I still think it fits in here.
It’s a nice fire escape!
I would be scared if the dragon part wasn’t there yesterday!
Isn’t it fun to look at unusual buildings?
Virginia Lord
Raising the Bar in Real Estate
612.799.1700
Strange House of the Day
This one somehow reminds me of the torch on the Statue of Liberty.
I also see a giant solar ice cream cone. Don’t eat it though. No one wants glass in their mouth.
I think I need more privacy than that. I would also like a bigger foundation. I can’t do laundry in that little tiny basement.
Virginia Lord
Raising the Bar in Real Estate
612.799.1700
What if we kept our cell phones off while driving?
My husband and I have a continuing conversation concerning dangerous car drivers. He thinks women are the worst.
I say its both species. What we both agree on is that cell phones add a substantial increased level of distraction. A survey conducted last year by the Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company discovered that 19% of drivers text message while driving. Nationwide also found that 73% of motorists talk on cell phones while driving.
They also found that drivers who use cell phones are four times as likely to get into accidents than those who don’t.
I think both my husband and I can agree its important to hang up and drive.
Virginia Lord
Raising the Bar in Real Estate
612.799.1700
Spasso Restaurant in Minnetonka, Minnesota
Spasso is at 17523 Minnetonka Blvd. Minnetonka, phone number; 952-224-9555.
Open for lunch and dinner.
You have to have a meal here! My husband and I wanted to go some where nice for our anniversary tonight. We decided to check out the new Italian restaurant in town.
We called this afternoon and they said they do not take reservations for small groups. So we went at 6:15 p.m. and we got a table right away. We enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. As the waitperson pointed out, the menu has a lot of choices, from New York Strip to Mac and Cheese. So, it’s great for the whole family! My husband ordered the Walleye and said it was good. I had the Salmon and it was very tasty. We split a pear bread pudding and it hit the spot.
The service was prompt and polite. We decided Spasso was similar to the restaurants in the downtown warehouse district with it’s tall exposed ceiling, stamped concrete floors, (and a little bit noisy.) When we first arrived, at about 6:15 p.m., the bar was empty, and at 6:20 p.m. it was full of people waiting for their table. We haven’t gone out alone for a long time, just the two of us.
Wouldn’t you know, as soon as we walked in the door we saw our neighbors/best friends. My husband and I sat next to the kitchen and our friends happened to be at another part of the restaurant. I asked them to comment on their food.
One person had the Florentine Panini which they said was very good and could be improved with a side sauce; one adult had the Chop Chop salad and the Mediterranean Fettuccini, which was good but the lemon flavor overpowered the other flavors; another friend had the bacon and white cheddar burger which was perfect; and other had the Ceasar salad which was extremely good; the sausage pizza was Excellent and the mac and cheese was as good as home cooked.
We ran into another old Friend of mine and we had a few laughs. So, to make a long story a little shorter, I would say, Spasso is absolutely the place to go, to see and be seen, in the Lake Minnetonka area! You will love it.
Virginia Lord
Raising the Bar in Real Estate
612.799.1700
Skate shaped house
My daughters love to figure skate. I found this picture and I just asked one of them if she would like to live in this house. She said she would not. I said it looks like a figure skate. She said it looks like a shoe. My husband thinks it is a boot. I still say it is a skate. No matter what it is, it is an interesting house. I think it would be fun to stay there for a night or two.
Virginia Lord
Raising the Bar in Real Estate
612.799.1700
